Istanbul

Happy to explore some of Istanbul’s neighborhoods with my camera 📸 and get a sense of life as a local. 😉

Years ago, I explored some of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks and monuments, and I was impressed by the grandeur of this city. But this time, no checklist!

Istanbul straddles two continents—Asia and Europe. Taking the ferry from Europe to Asia is no biggie around here, but also incredible at the same time! ⛴️

I walked to Ortakoy and stumbled upon a Turkish bakery 🥖🍞 (ORTAKÖY FIRINI). It was fun to watch the bakers do their daily routines.

On the way to the waterfront for a view of the Bosphorus, I was bombarded by food stall after food stall serving nothing but POTATOES! Kumpir is a special kind of baked potato with more than a dozen interesting and delicious toppings. No wonder everyone stopped for a bite.

In Arnavutkoy, I saw the painted ladies and made friends with the fisherman who were so proud of their catches of the day. 🎣

Last stop was dinner in Bebek (with the most impressive Starbucks with a waterfront view), such a vibrant spot!

Plus lots of cool cats and a few friendly dogs along the way. 🐈🐕

🙏 @suziesponder for your great company exploring and thank you to our expert guidance and day trip planning services provided by our friends @travelingmitch and @brimitchelltravels 💗

#GoTürkiye #OnlyinTürkiye #Goİstanbul #🇹🇷#SATWIstanbul

#travelingjules #travelingjules #travelvlogger#traveljournalist

🙌 @societyofamericantravelwriters and @goturekiye

Does this look like a turkey 🦃 to you?

Well, it’s a camel! But my mind is thinking about turkey!

This month, I got a wild chance to visit TURKEY and HUNGARY just before turkey day! ✈️🧳🦃

I can’t seem to come up with a cute caption about this…but the 7th grader in me studying world geography would have thought that was pretty clever! 🗺️

Did you know the country you may know as Turkey is actually called Türkiye! @goturkiye#GoTürkiye #OnlyinTürkiye

And in Hungary, Hungarians say Magyarország. @visithungary #visithungary

Feeling grateful for so many things. 💗

📍 Capadoccia, Türkiye (Imagination Valley, also known as Devrent or Rose Valley)
📍 Pamukkale, Türkiye (Pamukkale Travertines)
📍 Budapest, Hungary (Fisherman’s Bastion)

#travelingjules #happytravels #turkey#hungary #thankful #grateful #SATWistanbul#✈️

Oops! I may have bought a souvenir or two at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul…one item in particular was just calling my name! 👛🛍️💗 #GoTürkiye #Goİstanbul #🇹🇷

I remember shopping at the Grand Bazaar early in my travels and it was so magical! I wanted to buy all kinds of cool things, but I didn’t have anywhere to put them. I knew I would have to come back someday…

Instead of going on a shopping spree, I was inspired to take photos 📸 as souvenirs. I photographed beautiful lanterns and interesting fabrics and vibrant stalls.

This time, I didn’t plan on buying anything, but I did get excited to go on another photo adventure.

I visited the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Bazaar (also known as the Spice Bazar) and was delighted by all the colors and textures, and met some friendly people who wanted to have tea ☕️ and earn my business.

I managed to politely decline until I stumbled into this leather shop. I made a friend who worked hard for the money, showing me not just one but a dozen pink leather jackets, and oops, came home with a wearable souvenir! 💗 #juleslifeinpink

Lots of fun to look and maybe a little more fun to shop. 😉

What have you come home with you didn’t plan on buying? 🤣🤣

🛍️ Grand Bazaar
🛍️ Egyptian Bazaar / Spice Bazaar
🛍️ İstiklal Avenue
📍Istanbul Türkiye

#SATWIstanbul #✈️ #travelingjules# #travelvlogger#traveljournalist #shoptilyoudrop #grandbazaar #🛍️

🙏 @societyofamericantravelwriters @goturkiye

A few highlights from SATW Istanbul ✈️🇹🇷🌍 #SATWIstanbul

The Society of American Travel Writers had their annual conference in Türkiye! Yay! Really great meeting of the minds for travel journalists, editors, destinations and beyond. I arrived late but made up for lost time…

📸 Our closing night turquoise-themed party 🎉 at the glam Çırağan Palace Kempinski @cpkempinski , a luxurious 5-star stay on the Bosphorus
📸 Talking dolla dolla bills 💰 (or Turkish Lira) speaking on a “Show Me the Money Panel” with fellow travel professionals Kevin Wagar @wanderingwagars and Jennifer Doré Dallas @voyageries moderated by Jane Wooldridge @janewooldridge 🙌
📸 Being wined and dined at a special awards dinner at the Rixos Hotel Tersane İstanbul Event Hall 🥂
📸 Photographing first and devouring second on our “Dine Around,” scoring a seat at a Michelin Bib Gourmand and Young Chef awarded restaurant called the Red Balloon. Mmm! 🎈@michelinguide @durmazulas#nomnomnom #theredballoon#michelinistanbul
📸 Good times with fellow travel journalists in the wild!

More Istanbul adventures loading…

#✈️ #GoTürkiye #Goİstanbul #🇹🇷
#travelingjules #travelvlogger #traveljournalist

🙏 @societyofamericantravelwriters and @goturkiye for putting on such a wonderful event!